Rwanda: Uniting a land once crippled by decades of hate

In Rwanda, one can still come across people who harbour strong ethnic loyalties. These are the same powerful feelings which led to the 1994 genocide, and which crippled this green East African County. Commenting on this Tito Rutaremara states “Studies and reports recently carried out often indicate the prevalence of genocide ideology-where people still teach […]

In Rwanda, one can still come across people who harbour strong ethnic loyalties. These are the same powerful feelings which led to the 1994 genocide, and which crippled this green East African County. Commenting on this Tito Rutaremara states “Studies and reports recently carried out often indicate the prevalence of genocide ideology-where people still teach their children about  ethnic hatred.” But the country has stepped back from the brink, and it is retracing its steps carefully, trying not to go down the path which led to the huge pogrom. To stir the land away from the yawning gully which division always creates, the government went ahead and established the Unity and Reconciliation Commission in March 1999.
“The Arusha Peace Accord signed between RPF and the Rwandan Government identified  national reconciliation as an imperative prerequisite  for the establishment of democracy, peace and tranquility, the rule-of-law, national cohesion and holistic development,” states a publication of Rwanda’s Unity and Reconciliation Commission.
The National Unity and Reconciliation Commission is also promoting a new idea and outlook that ‘is Rwandan, rather than being Hutu, Tutsi or Twa.’ This is why  “the government of Rwanda  abolished the use of labels  in our National Identity Card,and all citizens  can now move freely, anywhere in Rwanda without fear of being victimized  for who they are  as was the case  in the colonial and post colonial regimes  until as of recent as 1994,” says  Madam Fatuma Ndangiza, the former Executive Secretary of NURC. Later on she adds in the same interview  “In Rwanda, memory, truth, justice, confessions and forgiveness have been the core threads of reconciliation.”
Richard Kananga is Director, Peace Building and Conflict Management, at the Commission. According to him the commission  “was set up with the aim of promoting unity and reconciliation among  Rwandan’s in the aftermath of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.” The commission  keeps a very keen  watch on the society. His words “The commission is to denounce and combat any acts of division, be it in writing, hate speeches, radio or the media. Once we hear   speeches that promote hatred, we invite such people to come and explain what they mean. We don’t sanction them, but we propose to government. In a serious case, we propose the court to takeover.”
Civic education is another aspect of the work of the commission. Here Richard Kananga states ‘Sensitisation or civic education is another aspect of our work. Here we have Ingando, which is a solidarity camp. We bring people together for a specific period of time, and they learn their history, the sources of conflict and the effects of conflicts in the country. We organise such camps for students who are just about to go to the university. Before they go they pass through this programme where they receive an orientation about the history of society, and their particular role in the society.”

Another approach used by the commission is the Ubusana, or get together parties which are usually organised during festivals. During such occasions people share drinks, lots of food, and they dance. Through these social activities they dialogue on unity and reconciliation. Another mode of intervention, he explains, is Umuganda which is community work carried out on the last Saturday of every  month. Then there  is Gacaca which is a traditional system of resolving conflicts. It may be called an alternative system of justice.
He says “We brought it to help us to settle the many cases  that we had.We wanted justice to be seen to be done, but we may not have achieved this through the normal courts. Thus, people were able to ask for forgiveness. Others were able to forgive, and this facilitated  the process of forgiveness and reconciliation, because people told the truth of what happened.Also, when someone now knows where his relative is buried, and such person is now buried in a dignified way, it helps to promote reconciliation too.
Linked to this, he now speaks about an association of women survivors of the genocide, who come together  with their husbands, working together for their joint economic improvement. While working together, they discuss conflict and genocide. Also, numerous student clubs have been set up in all secondary schools and universities across the country. There is also a forum of  vibrant artistes which propagates the idea of unity and reconciliation countrywide. In the course of preaching unity and reconciliation in the country, Richard Kananga  observes “Reconciliation is a process. It is not one thing that can be attained all at once.You continue today, and you reach a point. But tomorrow you find that you have fallen back a little.”
He  adds  that trauma is still a big issue among survivors of the genocide. According to him “Trauma is still a serious issue among the members of the community. It is challenging the process of reconciliation in the country. The magnitude of the genocide that happened  affected all Rwandans. So trauma is still rampant  even among generations born after the genocide. They  too exhibit signs of trauma. Trauma affects all age groups. Even perpretrators  of the genocide are currently going through forms of trauma.”

He adds that national reconciliation requires a holistic intervention in all aspects of life. But then there are challenges facing the entire process of unity and reconciliation in the country. “One of these is  the fact that monitoring reconciliation and conflicts is not an easy task, because hate speeches are being made by parents in the privacy of their  homes. So it’s not easy because we are not there with them,” says Richard Kananga.
He adds “Then there is the problem of refugees who fled to the DRC. Some have come back, and they easily spread hate messages among the population. This again delays the process of reconciliation.”
He also speaks about the payment of reparations for the victims of the genocide, and adds that some of the victims have been asking for this. On this he says “What we can do is to continue advocacy, and engage different institutions about this, but it is not easy.The government alone has  done a lot of work in support of the survivors.It has set up a survivors fund that supports orphans in schools. It provides shelter for survivors, as well as settles  their medical bills.This is a fund to support the survivors, but its not to be seen as a form of reparation towards them.” Richard  Kananga now says that the NURC is trying to mobilise people to actually own or embrace this process of reconciliation,which is also a platform for Rwandans to freely express their views through dialogue. Another major challenge is explained by Tito Rutaremara. He says “The challenges are still enormous. Registering  100% unity of our people is unattainable at least in our generation.” Senator  Aloysie Inyumba, the first Executive Secretary of the NURC also speaks  on some of the challenges facing the body. Her words “I think, first of  all, one of these is ignorance. Some people seem not to know or appreciate the importance of promoting and embracing unity and reconciliation. Also some people, especially those who are abroad,seem not to appreciate the progress made in the country, and are only  focused on undermining the achievements and efforts of the government.”

Speaking on the achievements of the Unity and Reconciliation Commisssion, Richard Kananga says “Today, people are willing to come together in cooperatives  or associations, and they easily find consensus on national issues. When you go into community’s you won’t find a place for Tutsis and another for Hutus. People instead choose to live together like a family. It is a government policy, and people live together, therefore  freeing the land for other purposes.”
Then there is the rise of initiatives at the grassroots level, which he also cites as another achievement of the commission. His words “Another achievement is the rise of initiatives at the grassroots level, in the sense that when people leave the prison, and return to the villages, they immediately join different cooperatives, and this is another indicator of cohesion.” Aloysie Inyumba draws attention to one glowing point which demonstrates the high level of cohesion that has been achieved. Her words “The other remarkable success is the power sharing arrangement. Today, we have a functioning Government, we have a Parliament, we have institutions like the Army, Police, Political parties Forum,  where all Rwandans are participating  at different levels is a big achievement. For the first time in Rwandan history,equal opportunities have been created for all people to enjoy.”
She also refers to the 2003 constitution which she identifies as a reconciliation constitution “Look at this unique system of bringing all opposition parties to work together. The fact that the constitution clearly stipulates that the winner  does not take it all is an incredible success of the reconciliation effort.” In Rwanda there is no discrimination in terms of medical service available to men, women and the young. In the army people who fought against each other,are now working together, providing leadership. Again, millions of refugees who were once in the DRC and Tanzania have been resettled. Women have also been given an equal participation in the decision making process. In Rwanda, the basis of government is the elimination of all forms of discrimination based on ethnicity, sex or region. The story unfolding today shows that, despite the challenges,  the future looks bright for Rwanda.